CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man was arrested for his connection to a camp fire in Lawrence Township at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday night.
John Hainsey, 33, was charged with arson, institutional vandalism and related offenses.
The affidavit of probable cause states that Hainsey was located in a wooded area near scene of the fire. Hainsey told officials that he was sitting on the porch of the camp when he flicked a lit cigarette onto a seat, which caught fire. Hainsey said he tried to remove the seat, but could not. Hainsey then fled and hid in the wooded area.
The institutional vandalism charge stems from Hainsey’s struggle with police at the time of his arrest. During this struggle, Hainsey was reported to have kicked a light out of a fire apparatus that was on-scene. Hainsey was also reported to be combative in the Lawrence Township Police station.
The Pennsylvania state police fire marshal that was dispatched to the scene stated that the point of origin for the fire would likely be on the front porch near the remains of the seat.
Hainsey is currently being held in Clearfield County Jail lieu $100,000 straight bail.
Court documents did not state if it was the Fire Tower Road camp owned by Kenneth Kyler. That camp was a total loss after a fire on Saturday night.